ABSS superintendent likely to be excluded from county budget talks

Published: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 12:09 AM.

Relations between the two boards have been less than cordial. A joint meeting between the boards earlier this month left one school board member noting, "Name-calling is unprofessional."

On Monday, school board members expressed dismay that Cox wasn’t invited to the retreat. At one point Cox said, "They know our numbers," referring to the amount of money the schools are seeking.

"How do they know our numbers if we haven’t approved it, yet?" asked board member Jackie Cole. "I find it hard to believe our commissioners understand this budget in detail. They’re basically just cutting us out of their work sessions."

Cox said she was "comfortable sitting with (Honeycutt) and presenting (the budget) at any time." She admitted she didn’t know if she’d have the opportunity to share the budget with him or the commissioners.

Cole wasn’t the only board member upset that commissioners weren’t interested in speaking with them before deciding on the county’s share of school funding.

At one point during Monday’s presentation, Cox noted that North Carolina ranks 48th in the nation in teacher pay — the average state educator earning $45,947. The national average is $56,383.

Members of the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education gave preliminary approval Monday to the system’s proposed budget for the 2013-14 school year.

The budget was presented by Superintendent Lillie Cox during the board’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The proposed budget totals $177.3 million — a decrease of $3.3 million from the system’s current $180.6 million.

Members voted unanimously to back the budget that won’t become official until at least the board’s April 22 meeting. A public hearing that night will precede any vote by the board.

Cox warned board members the budget has a number of hurdles to clear — one of the primary involving getting the blessings of Alamance County commissioners.

Cox had initially planned to present the budget to commissioners at their April 15 workshop. She said during a conversation Monday, County Manager Craig Honeycutt told her her presence wasn’t necessary.

"I assume I’ll just send a written request," Cox said.

The budget presented by Cox includes a county appropriation of $34.5 million, an amount commissioners haven’t approved for the schools since the 2010-11 school year. In the current budget, the county funded the schools to the tune of $31.1 million.

Relations between the two boards have been less than cordial. A joint meeting between the boards earlier this month left one school board member noting, "Name-calling is unprofessional."

On Monday, school board members expressed dismay that Cox wasn’t invited to the retreat. At one point Cox said, "They know our numbers," referring to the amount of money the schools are seeking.

"How do they know our numbers if we haven’t approved it, yet?" asked board member Jackie Cole. "I find it hard to believe our commissioners understand this budget in detail. They’re basically just cutting us out of their work sessions."

Cox said she was "comfortable sitting with (Honeycutt) and presenting (the budget) at any time." She admitted she didn’t know if she’d have the opportunity to share the budget with him or the commissioners.

Cole wasn’t the only board member upset that commissioners weren’t interested in speaking with them before deciding on the county’s share of school funding.

At one point during Monday’s presentation, Cox noted that North Carolina ranks 48th in the nation in teacher pay — the average state educator earning $45,947. The national average is $56,383.

Board members had discussed the possibility of getting rid of $100,000 that’s mandated to teach CPR to eighth-graders.

"Maybe we don’t need to buy those dummies (for CPR)," Thompson quipped. "We’ll just borrow some of the legislators."

Cole encouraged county residents to contact their commissioners and ask that they support the schools and the proposed budget.

"I think it’s time for the county to step up to the plate," she said. "Unless they hear from the community, nothing is going to change."

Board member Kris Moffitt suggested a roundtable meeting with commissioners where the public is invited. Thompson asked Cox if she’d be willing to address commissioners during the public forum that’s part of the board’s monthly meetings. She said school board members should accompany her, "As your posse."

Before getting into the possible run-in with commissioners, Cox warned the proposed budget includes deep cuts. She said the system’s enrollment is expected to increase by 200 next year to 22,690 students — its greatest number ever.

Sequestration could cut federal funding by 10 percent, or $1.2 million, Cox said. Funding from EduJobs has been lost, leaving a $2.2 million gap in teacher positions. The system’s fund balance has been reduced to about $5.9 million, Cox said, meaning the schools won’t be able to pull from it as they have in the past.

The proposed budget calls for $3.3 million to be drawn from the school system’s fund balance, as opposed to $5.9 million appropriated a year ago.

She laid out a scenario of cuts that could save $1.4 million in salaries and benefits by cutting 25 teaching positions or 52 classified positions or 18 assistant principal positions — or a combination in cuts of the aforementioned jobs.

"These cuts are significant," Cox warned. "They’re larger than they’ve been in the past."